Egypt. J. Plant Prot. Res. Inst. (2019), 2 (4):629 - 640 Egyptian Journal of Plant Protection Research Institute www.ejppri.eg.net Survey and faunistic studies on moths and butterflies in New Valley Governorate, Egypt. 1. Butterflies Salem, M.M.; Mahmoud,Y.H. Henaish and Al-Azab, S.A. Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. ARTICLE INFO Abstract: Article History A survey of moths and butterflies together with Received: 5 / 11 / 2019 faunistic studies were carried out in Dakhla, Kharga and Accepted: 13 / 12 /2019 Baris Oases in New Valley Governorate using light _______________ traps and sweeping nets during a period covered two Keywords years, 2017 - 2018. As for the butterflies, the survey Survey, moths and revealed the presence of 24 species in 20 genera butterflies, New Valley belonging to 5 families (Danaidae, Hesperiidae, Oases, taxonomy and Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae and Pieridae).The largest Egypt. number of species was belonged to family Lycaenidae (eleven species), followed by family Pieridae (six species). Kharga Oasis was found to be the richest in species (21 species). Three species were found most common in the area of study, these are: Danaus chrysippus (L.) (Lepidoptera:Nymphalidae), Colotis chrysonome (Klug) and Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), eight species were found in fair numbers and thirteen species are to be rare. Taxonomic notes with common names, synonyms and notes on the distribution, habitats and host plants for each species are given. Occurrence and distribution in the zoogeographical zones of Egypt are also pointed. Introduction Butterflies are popular Some migrate over long distances. everywhere and there are over 19000 Some species are pests, others are butterfly species are known in the pollinating agents of some plants, while world. The name "butterfly"is believed others live as mutualists in association to have originated from a member of with ants (Larsen, 1994). the family Pieridae, the brimstone, Knowledge about Egypt’s butterflies Gonepteryx rhamni (L.) (Lepidoptera: has progressed slowly and there have Pieridae), which was called the "butter- been only three major reviews (Andres coloured fly" by early British and Seitz, 1923; Wiltshire, 1948 and naturalists. Butterflies are often Larsen, 1990) to- date and little else has polymorphic and many species make been published over a half century ago. use of camouflage, mimicry and According to Gilbert and Zalat (2007), aposematism to evade their predators. there are 63 species of butterflies 629 Salem et al. , 2019 recorded from Egypt, two of them are and rare) and their distribution in the endemic to Egypt. Benyamini (1984) geographical regions in Egypt. surveyed the butterflies of Sinai Common names, synonyms, Peninsula. El Moursy (1996) in the taxonomic notes and notes on the work “Biological diversity of Egypt” distribution, habitats and host plants for listed the butterflies of Egypt together each species are given. Occurrence and with their distribution. Mabrouk (2003) distribution in the zoogeographical presented a comprehensive list of zones of Egypt are also pointed. Egyptian Lepidoptera including the Identification of species with updates of butterflies. Mahbob and Mahmoud nomenclature and species status were (2013) listed the insect fauna of Kharga carried out in the Insect Identification Oasis, New Valley, Egypt. Salem and Classification Department (IICD) (2017) presented a comprehensive in the Plant Protection Research checklist of insects recorded in Egypt Institute (PPRI), Agricultural Research including the butterflies. Center (ARC), Egypt. As for the New Valley, most of the faunistic work on butterflies was no Results and discussion more than mere, fragment and scattered work such as Ibrahim, 1934; Wiltshire, The present survey resulting 24 1948 and Al-Gamal et al., 2001. On species belonging to 20 genera of five account of the scarcity of knowledge families of butterflies (Danaidae, and to overcome the lack of information Hesperidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae regarding the fauna of the butterflies in and Pieridae). Table (1) below indicate the New Valley, the present work is to that, family Lycaenidae is represented be presented. It is hopped to be of by eleven species, Pieridae six species, assistance for more detailed and Hesperidae and Nymphalidae each is prospective studies. represented by three species and Danaidae by only one species. The Materials and methods largest number of species was collected The present work was carried out from Kharga Oasis (21 species), at the New Valley Governorate using followed by Dakhla Oasis (16 species) light traps and sweeping net during two and then Baris Oasis (13 species). It years (2017-2018) and covered the was also found that, six species were following areas in the New Valley collected from all the surveyed Governorate: Dakhla, Kharga and Baris localities, these are: Tarucus Oases. The surveyed areas were balkanicus, T. rosaceus (Lycaenidae); cultivated with variable field crops, Cynthia cardui, Vanessa atalanta vegetables and fruit trees. Captured (Nymphalidae), Colotis chrysonome insects were sorted out into species, and Pontia glauconome (Pieridae). Four identified and recorded then listed in species, each was collected from three alphabetical order according to localities, seven species, each was families, genera and species. Data are collected from two localities and five presented here showing the recent species, each was collected from only scientific names and position of the one locality. species together with their collecting area, state of abundancy (Common, fair 630 Egypt. J. Plant Prot. Res. Inst. (2019), 2 (4): 929 - 640 Table (1): List of butterflies in the New Valley Oases, together with their abundancy and distribution in Egypt. Abundancy Surveyed zones Distribution in ecological zones in the New of Egypt Valley Oasis Dakhla Kharga Baris N. coas W. desert Lower Egypt Upper Egypt E. desert Gebel Elba Sinai Taxa t Fam. Danaidae Danaus chrysippus (Linn.) * * +++ * * * * * * * Fam. Hesperiidae Borbo barbonica Lederer * + x * * * * Gegenes nostrodomus Fab. * * + x * * * Gomalia elma(Trimen) * + * * * * * * * Fam. Lycaenidae Deudorix livia (Klug) * ++ x * * * Freyeria trochylus Freyer * * + * x * * * * Iolana alfierii Wiltshier * + x * * * * Lampides boeticus (Linn.) * * * ++ * * * * * Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus) * * + * x * * * Lycaena phlaeas Linnaeus * * + x * * * Lycaena thersamon omphali Klug * * * ++ * x * * * * Polyommatus Icarus zelleri Verity * + x * * * Tarucus balkanicus Freyer * * * ++ * * * * * Tarucus rosaceus Austant * * * + * x * * * Zizeeria karsandra (Moore) * * ++ * * * * Fam. Nymphalidae Cynthia cardui(Linnaeus) * * * ++ * * * * * * * Melitaea deserticola Oberthür * + * Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus) * * * + * * * * * Fam. Pieridae Colias croceus (Geoffroy) * * ++ * * * * * * * Colotis chrysonome Klug * * * +++ x * Colotis protomedia Klug * + x * * Pieris rapae (Linnaeus) * * * +++ * * * * * * Pontia daplidice Linnaeus * * + * x * * * Pontia glauconome Klug * * * ++ * x * * * * Total 5 fam., 24 sp., 20 gen. 16 21 13 14 24 23 20 9 7 21 +++ Common ++ Fair + Rare x Present record E. Eastern N. North W. Western The table also indicated that, for the mentioned species in the three species were found to be most geographical regions in Egypt, it is common in the area of study, these are: noticed that, fourteen species were Danaus chrysippus recorded from the coastal region, ten (Nymphalidae),Colotis chrysonome and species previously recorded, in addition Pieris rapae (Pieridae). Eight species to fourteen species recorded in the were found in considerable numbers present work from the Western Desert, (more than 3 individuals) and thirteen twenty three species from lower Egypt, species are to be rare (less than 3 twenty species from Upper Egypt, nine individuals). On the other hand and species from Eastern Desert, seven according to the records of distribution species from Gebel Elba and twenty 631 Salem et al. , 2019 one species from Sinai peninsula. It is Kanater (Qalubiya), Giza, Seds (Kafr found also that, four species are found El-Skeikh) and Matrouh. inhabiting all the geographical regions Geographic distribution: Wide spread in Egypt, these are: Danaus chrysippus in Asia, Australia and Africa (Danaidae), Gomalia elma Recorded hosts: Host plants are from (Hesperiidae), Cynthia cardui several families, most importantly (Nymphalidae) and Colias croceus Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae). Adults (Pieridae). Four species are recorded obtain nectar from various flowering from six regions, eight species from plants. five regions, five species from four Habitats: It prefers arid, open areas, regions, only one species from three and is most often found in a variety of regions and other one species from two habitats including deserts, mountains, regions and only one species, Melitaea deciduous forests, and human-tended deserticola (Nymphalidae) from only gardens in cities and parks. It is one region that is previously recorded comfortable at altitudes ranging from from the Western Desert. sea level to around 1,500 m (5,000 ft.) Families, genera and species of Remarks: A 3500-year-old Egyptian butterflies in New Valley fresco in Luxor features the oldest Governorate , Egypt known illustration of this species. 1.Family: Danaidae (Milkweed Strong fliers from dawn to dusk. Flight butterflies): period from June to September. A small family of large tropical 2. Family: Hesperiidae (Skippers): butterflies, some of